What you need to know about Vitamin B12

Uploaded on: 12 April 2023

“Doctor I feel very tired” If you hear the problem of ‘not feeling excited about anything’, it is clear that the patient may be deficient in vitamin B-12. This vitamin is useful for keeping the body healthy and increasing the immunity.

Symptoms of ‘B-12’ deficiency

Extreme fatigue
Lethargy
Tingling
Numbness in the hands and feet
Loss of blood in the body.
Increased risk of heart disease
Forgetfulness
Loss of balance
Mouth ulcers/sores

Who can be deficient in B-12?

Lack of B12 in the diet. Those who have problems with bile regularly take choleretic drugs, and those with bowel disorders are deficient in this vitamin.

Which foods provide B-12?

Vegetarian: Milk and milk products, pulses, dry fruits (walnuts, dried figs, black currants, apricots), soya milk, pulses.
Non-vegetarian: meat, eggs, chicken
Vegan: Pick soy and rice-based drinks and soy-based meat substitutes that are sustained with Vitamin B12 if you don’t eat animal based items

How to diagnose B-12 deficiency?

Blood test if above symptoms. ‘B-12’ level – 190-950 Pg/ml (Normal)
No need to check in fasting.
This normal range is very wide, so generally – 300 Pg/ml and more is considered normal.
Below 190 is deficiency. 200 – 300 – Border Line Also checking CBC and Folate is necessary in some people.

Treatment for ‘B-12’ deficiency

‘B-12’ injection is effective. Helps to increase body mass. It is necessary to do an allergy test before taking the injection. B-12 pills are also available.- These days, B-12 nasal sprays are also available.

How much vitamin B12 we want relies upon our age and life stage. The table underneath will show you the amount you really want:

Man or woman, 19 years or older – 2.4 (mcg/day)
Pregnant woman, 19 years or older – 2.6 (mcg/day)
Lactating woman, 19 years or older – 2.8 (mcg/day)